Title Fight: "No Easy Way Down"

Illustration by Aubrey Beardsley from Arthur Symons' The Savoy, 1896

I've been interested in the "Paisley Underground" scene of LA in the early '80s for a while. But I put off listening to one of the standout bands of the scene, the Rain Parade, based on reports that they were too sleepy-sounding and lacking pop hooks. I recently bought Emergency Third Rail Power Trip/Explosions in the Glass Palace, which collects their first album and the follow-up EP, and I regret having waited so long. Most of the "Paisley Underground" bands (the Bangles, the 3 O'Clock, Game Theory) were not really that psychedelic, but Rain Parade managed to connect with the things I love about the original psych-rock bands while doing their own thing entirely.

I was particularly drawn to "No Easy Way Down", the closing song of the Explosions in the Glass Palace EP, which was recorded after the departure of David Roback, who had founded the band and would later continue purveying sleepy psych with Mazzy Sar. At almost seven minutes, a guitar epic like "No Easy Way Down" is not the kind of thing I'm usually drawn to, but it drew me in the first time I heard it. Evoking the most acid-drenched psychedelia of the '60s and the drones of '70s krautrock, it also foreshadows the rise of shoegaze rock in a more-than-passing similarity to Loveless-era My Bloody Valentine. But mostly it sounds like itself - the guitar lead starts out in an easy Eastern-sounding riff but wanders into uncharted territory as the song stretches and flexes. The whispered backing vocals, pulsing rhythm guitar, and keening organ are classic psych touches, but they are combined with an impressive and relaxed clarity here.

It's an excellent song and worth the seven minutes that it takes to listen to, but it has an unfortunate name when it comes to participating in a Title Fight. It's title puts it up against one of the best Goffin/King compositions of the late '60s. Performed originally by Jackie DeShannon, and later by Barbra Streisand, Scott Walker, and Carol King herself, the original "No Easy Way Down" was interpreted best by Dusty Springfield. Recorded in her Memphis sessions, this version features the Sweet Inspirations on backup vocals and the music of the famous Memphis Cat, including legendary guitarist Reggie Young. A perfect melody sung perfectly, flawless arrangement, and a couple tons of sheer classicness from Dusty Springfield crush the competition here.

Winner: DUSTY SPRINGFIELD

"No Easy Way Down" by Dusty Springfield

"No Easy Way Down" by the Rain Parade